Draft rigging



July 26,1927.

D. S. BARROWS DRAFT RTGGING Filed Jan. 30, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Juy 26,192m 1,637,099

D. S. BARROWS DRAFT RIGGING Filed Jan. 5o, 1925 2 sheets-sheet '2Patented July 26, 19327'.

Lanos-a Price.

DONALD S. BARROWS, F ROCHESTER, NEW l, ASSIGNOR T0 THE SYMINGTONCOMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A. RPORATION 0F MARYLAND.

' naam mecano.

Application tiled January My invention relates to draft rigging forrailway cars and more particularly to mechanism for operativelyconnecting the coupler to the yoke'member and allowing a desired amountof angular motion therebetween in all directions.

The principal feature of my invention, generally considered, is toprovide ay universal connection between the coupler and yoke members ofrailway draft rigging while Y preventing undue or undesired anglingmotion therebetween.

An object'of the invention is to provide a connection between thecoupler and yoke of railway draft rigging in which a substantiallyuniversal motion therebetween is permitted by forming interengagingsubstantially spherical surfaces on each member adapted to providebearings therebetween when in service.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedconnection between the coupler and yoke in railway draft rigging wherebysubstantially universal motion therebetween is permitted, such objectbeing accomplished by forming a pocket in the butt of the coupler stem,said pocket having oppositely disposed walls formed with sub stantiallyspherical depressions therein, said depressions being substantiallyconcentric, and a block member with concentric bearing surfaces fittingsaid pocket provided between said walls, and a key extending betweensaid block and yoke for connecting the coupler and yoke and transmittingdraft forces therebetween.

transmitted through the spherical block and' key and buiiing forcestherebetween are transmitted directly from the spherical butt totheftransverse wall of the yoke.

)ther objects and advantages of the invention relating to theconstruction of the sev- 30, 1925. Serial- N0. 5,'3'63.

eral elements, together with their particular arrangement andcombination will become apparent as the description proceeds.

ln the drawings illustrating `my invention, the scope whereof is pointedout in the claims: f

Figure 1 is a top plan view, partially in horizontal section,illustrating a coupler and yoke member constructed and connected inaccordance withmy present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view, partly in vertical longitudinal section, of theconstruction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 1s a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified construction.

Figure 4 is a side view, with parts in vertical longitudinal section, ofthe construction shown in Figure 3. y

Referring to thedrawings in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views, I have shown the coupler 1connected to a yoke 2 by means of a transversely extending key 8. Thecoupler 1 is formed with a stem or butt portion, the outer surface 4 ofthe rear wall thereof being formed substantially spherical and bearingagainst a transverse portion 5 of the yoke. The transverse portion 5 inthe present embodiment is shown as integral with the forwardly extendingarms 6 and 7 of the yoke 2 and the front face 8 thereof is concave andsubstantially spherical and preferably accurately fits the rear, surface4 of the coupler 1 so that angling or substantially universal movementbetween thev coupler and yoke is permitted by these engaglng faces. Therear portion of the yoke 2 (not shown) may be of any ordinaryconstruction.

The stem or butt portion of the coupler 1 is formed with a pocket 9 intowhich is fitted a block 1l. This pocket 9 is formed between the upperand lower walls 12 and 13, respectively, ot' the coupler, which wallsare substantially horizontal and the rearward and forward walls 14 and15respectively, of said coupler butt, said latter walls being providedwith concave substantially spherical inner surfaces 16 and 17,respectively. These inner surfaces are preferably concentric withthespherical surfaces 4 and 8 on the coupler butt and yoke, respectively.The block 11 fitting in the coupler pocket9 is formed with upper andlower flat Surfaces 18 and 19, respectively, and forward and rearwardconvex substantially spherical surfaces 21 and 22, respectively. Theflat surfaces 18 and 19 on the block 11 are spaced slightly from thecooperatin upper and lower walls of the coupler poc et to permit a.slight amount of play or motion therebetween, whereas the sphericalsurfaces 21 and 22 on the block are embraced between the complementaryspherical surfaces 16 and -17 of the pocket with little or no playtherebetween. As' the spherical surfaces on the block are substantiallyconcentric with the complementary surfaces in the pocket, a desir amountof angling or pivotal motion between the coupler and block is permittedin all directions with substantially no longitudinal movementtherebewteen.

The block 11 is rovided with a transverse slot 23 through w ich extendsthe key 3 for connecting the cou ler and yoke. The yoke is provided withorwardly extending webs or loop portions 24 and 25 slotted at 26 and 27,respectively, for receiving the key 3. It will be seen from aninspection of Figure 1, that little or. no lost motion is providedhetween the block 11 and the key 3 and between the key 3 and the yoke2,so that draft forces are transmitted from the coupler to the yokethrough the intervening block 1l and key 3, whereas when butiing forcesare applied to the coupler, the key 3 and block 11 are relieved ofstrain by the direct engagement of the spherical end ot' the couplerstem with the transverse bridge portion 5 of the yoke.

For supporting the coupler and yoke in approximate alinement, the keyextends through slots 28 in the draft sills 29 and through correspondingslots 31 in the cheek plates 32.

The arms 6 and 7 of the yoke 2 extend forwardly beyond the transverseportion 5 to form transverse walls or tianges 33 and 34 connecting thewall portions 24 and 25 of the yoke and forming a box-like pocket intowhich ts the coupler butt, the walls 24 and 25 serving to limithorizontal angling of the coupler with respect to the yoke, whereas thewalls or webs 33 and 34 serve as additional meansl for limiting verticalangling motion of the coupler with respect to the yoke. It will beunderstood, however,

.that the angling of the coupler with respect to the yoke in a verticalplane is primarily limited b the amount of play between the upper anlower walls of the butt portion of the coupler and the u per and lowerfaces, respectively, of the b ock contained in the pocket 9 as well asby the play allowed hetween the key 3 and said block 11 on the one. handand the draft sills and cheek plates on the other.

In order to assemble the block 11 in the pocket 9 of the coupler stem,it is necessary to turn the same from the position shown in Figure 1through substantially 90 in a horizontal plane. It will then bepossible, because of the relative width and length of the block, to movethe block transversely into position between the front and rear walls ofthe pocket whereupon the block may then be turned back throughapproximately 9o so that the convex spherical surfaces thereon willengage with the complementary surfaces on the interior of the pocket.

The modification illustrated in Figures L and 4 of the drawing issubstantially the same as that illustrated in Figures l and 2 exceptthat the yoke 2 is of the horizontal type rather than of the verticaltype, as shown in the first two figures. The key 3 in this modificationtherefore extends through the block 1l contained in thc pocket 9"l ofthe coupler butt and through slots 26 and 27, respectively, in theforwardly extending arms 24 and 25 of the yoke. The spherical-ended buttportion 8, instead of engaging an integral transverse portion of theyoke as in the first modification, engages a block 5n between theforwardly extending arms 24: and 25 of thc yoke, said block beingconnected thereto and held in alinement therewith by means of a key 35extending through slots 3G and 3T, respectively, in the arms 24: and 25of the Yoke 2.

'lhe bloc: oa is formed with a forward face shaped to closely lit thespherical-ended coupler butt, as in the tirst inodilication, so thatlwhen the coupler is subjected to bull'- ing force it is transmitteddirectly to the cushioning mechanism through thc complementary faces onthe coupler butt and block.

When draft forces are applied to the cou- )ler l they are transmittedthrough the lock ll and key 3 to the yoke 2. lt will be noted from aninspection of Figure 2' that the yoke slots for the key 3 permit. motionof said key rearwardly independently oi' the yoke, whereas, the slots 36and 3T are similarly constructed in this respect. This permits the keys3 and 35 to move rearwardly upon the application of bufling forceswithout corresponding movement of the yoke member.

In this modification horizontal angling of the, coupler with respect tothe yoke is limited by the forwardly extending arms 24 and 25, whereasvertical angling therebetwcen is limited by the play or lost motionbetween the cooperating horizontal t'aces ou the pocket 9, the block llnand the key Il.

It will be apparent that by virtue ol' the afore-described constructionl have provided a connection between the coupler and rola for railwaydraft rigging which allow.-y a universal angling motion therclwlweeu toa desired but limited degree. l,The parts culployed for ell'ecting thisconnection are easltlfi lltl i C2i ily manufactured and assembled andmay be built to conform to the A. R.' AQrequirements with respecttosize.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a railway draft rigging, the combinationwith a coupler, of a yoke,and a key connecting the coupler and yoke to transmit draft forces andsupport said coupler and yoke, said yoke and coupler having a universalconnection therebetween.

2. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler,of a yokeprovided with a curved'bearing portion, a complementary bearing portionon the coupler engaging therewith for universal movement thereon, and akey adapted toA transmit draft forces between said coupler and yoke.

3. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a substantially spherical butt portion, of a yoke provided with anintegral portion connecting forwardly extending arms thereof, saidintegral portion having a face of substantially spherical conforma-tionand concentric with the butt portion of the coupler for universalbearing motion therebetween, and means extending between the coupler andyoke for transmitting draft forces therebetween.

4. ln a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a butt substantially spherical in contour, of a yoke provided witha cushioning mechanism pocket, and a coupler engaging pocket, saidcoupler pocket being formed with a substan.

tially spherical portion fitting the coupler butt for receiving buffingforces therefrom and for universal movement with respect thereto, andadditional means intersecting said coupler and yoke for transmittingdrafty forces therebetween.

5. In a railwaydraft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a stem containing a spherical cavity, of a spherical block mountedin said cavity, a yoke, and means extending through said block andconnecting the coupler to the yoke.

t5. ln a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a pocket in its stein, the opposite walls of said pocket beingconcentric and substantially spherical, of means mounted in said pocketand having substantially spherical portions fitting the spherical wallsof the pocket in the coupler, a yoke, and lneans extending through saidmeans and yoke for transmitting forces therebetween.

7. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a rear transverse wall and a transverse wall spaced withrespectthereto, the inner faces of'said walls being concentric andsubstantially spherical, of a slotted block mounted be tween said wallsand having bearing surfaces shaped to fit and be closely embracedbetween the spherical portion of said walls, a yoke, and a key extendingthrough the slot and yoke for connecting the coupler to the yoke.

8. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a rear integral transverse wall and an integral transverse wallspaced with respect thereto, the inner faces of said walls beingconcentric and substantially spherical, the outer face of the rear wallbeing curved substantially concentric with the inner faces, of a slottedblock mounted between said walls and having bearing surfaces shaped tofit and be closely embraced between the sph-erical portions of saidwalls, a yoke engaging said coupler, a key extending through slots inthe block and yoke for connecting the coupler to the yoke, and a portionon said yoke kfitting the outer face of the rear wall of the couplerkand bearing thereon.

9. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a. coupler providedwith a butt substantially spherical on its rear surface, of a yokeprovided with a portion between forwardly extending arms thereof, saidportion having a forward face substantially spherical and fitting thespherical surface of the coupler butt, and separate means fortransmitting draft forces therebetween.

10. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a butt substantially spherical on its rear surface and having apocket formed in the butt portion between a rear wall thereof and a wallforwardly spaced therefrom, the inner surfaces of said walls beingsubstantially spherical and concentric with the rear snrface of thebutt, of a block mounted in said pocket and closely fitting between saidwalls, a yoke provided with an integral portion between forwardlyextending arms thereof, said portion being provided with a, forward facesubstantially spherical and fitting the spherical surface of the couplerbutt, rearward extensions on the yoke, and means connecting 'the blockto said rearward extensions. I

11. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a butt substantially spherical on its rear surface and formed witha pocket in said butt por-` tion between a rear wall thereof and a wallforwardly spaced therefrom, the inner surfaces of both walls beingsubstantially spherical and concentric with the rear surface of thebutt, of a block mounted in said pocket and closely fitting between saidwalls,

a yoke rovided with a portion between the foi-war( ly extending armsthereof, said portion being provided with a. forward face substantiallyspherical and fitting the spher ical surface of the coupler butt saidyoke being also provided with slotted forward oxtensions, and a keypassing through said block and the slots in said extensions.

12. In a' railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a stem substantially spherical on its rear surface and formed witha pocket therein between a rear wall thereof and a wall forwardly spacedtherefrom, the inner surfaces of both walls forming a portion of asphere concen tric with the rear surface'of the stem, of a block mountedin said pocket and closely fittin between said walls, a yoke providedwiti an integral portion between forwardly extending arms thereof andforming a pocket for cushioning mechanism on one side and a pocket forthe coupler stein on the other side, the coupler stem pocket beingprovided with a portion substantially spherical and fitting thespherical surface of the coupler buttfor transmitting bufling forcestherebetween, and means for transmitting draft forces between said blockand yoke 13. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a couplerprovided with a butt substantially spherical ou its rear surface andformed with a pocket therein between a rear wall and a wall forwardlyspaced therefrom, the inner surfaces of said walls forming a portion ofa sphere substantially concentric with the rear surface of the buttortion, of a block mounted in said pocket and closely Fitting betweensaid walls, a yoke provided with a portion between forwardly extendingarms thereof adapted to contact on side with cushioning mechanism and onthe other side with the butt portion of the coupler, that portioncontacting with the coupler being formed substantially spherical foruniversal movement with respect thereto.

14. In a railway draft rigging, the combination with a coupler providedwith a butt portion substantially spherical and formed with a pocketholding a block therein, said pocket and block being shaped foruniversal movement therebetween a yoke connected to the coupler andprovided with an integral portion between forwardly extending armsthereof, said portion having a face formed to closely tit-and bearagainst the coupler butt, and forwardly extending means on the yoke forlimiting the angular motion of the coupler with respect thereto.

15. A coupler rovided with a stem having a substantia ly spherical buttportion and formed with a pocket therein between a rear wall thereof anda wall forwardly spaced therefrom, the inner surfaces of said wallsbeing substantially spherical and concentric with tlie butt portion foruniversal motion with respect to a bearing member.

16. A yoke for railway draft rigging, coniprising forwardly extendingarms, an integral wall connecting the forward portions of said arms, theforward face of said wall being provided with a cavity thereinsubstantially spherical in contour, and webs connecting the side edgesof said arms forwardy of said wall and slotted for receiving a rey.

17. A yoke for railway draft rigging with forwardly extending arms, anintegral bridge. portion connecting said arms, said bridge portion beingprovided on its forward tare willi a substantially spherical cavity andits rear face being adapted to engage cushioning mechanism, said arms infront of the bridge portion being connected by slotted flanges or websforming a pocket for a coupler stein, serving to limit the angularmotion of .Lluch a stem with respect thereto, and receive a key forconnection therewith.

ln testimony whereofI atlix my signature.

DONALD S. BARROWS..

